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D-backs, Hinske reach terms on one-year deal

D-backs, Hinske reach terms on one-year deal

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Hinske's solo home run 0:45

9/8/12: Eric Hinske hits a solo home run to deep right-center field in the top of the ninth inning, his second of the 2012 campaign

By Spencer Fordin
/
MLB.com |

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Thursday that they have reached agreement with veteran Eric Hinske on a one-year contract. Hinske, the 2002 American League Rookie of the Year, played at first base and in both outfield corners last season in 91 games for the Braves.

Hinske, a career .250 hitter, batted just .197 with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 2012. The Wisconsin native spent the last three years with Atlanta, but prior to that, he had played for five teams (Toronto, Boston, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and the Yankees) in the previous four seasons.

Hinske, who makes his offseason home in Scottsdale, Ariz., has 136 career home runs and 516 RBIs in 11 seasons. His most productive year was undoubtedly his first, when he batted .279 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs for Toronto. Hinske, 35 years old, has reached 20 home runs just one other time.

The former 17th-round pick hasn't had 400 at-bats in a season since 2008, and he's played in the postseason with four teams (Boston, Tampa Bay, New York and Atlanta). Hinske won a World Series championship with Boston in 2007 and with the Yankees just two seasons later.

Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.